The big T – the hormone all men want to increase so that they can build an awe-inspiring, ripped physique. But what if your testosterone levels are low?

The primary function of the hormone testosterone is for sperm production, facial and body hair growth, maintaining a healthy libido and you guessed it, building muscle. The problem is that this powerful anabolic hormone’s production may be reduced if you suffer certain injuries, if you use steroids and / or as you undergo the natural aging process.

If you are prone to any of the symptoms below, you may have low testosterone. But don’t worry, identifying the problem may allow you to put certain measures or therapies in place in order to combat low testosterone.

Make sure to read our article on “Foods That Can Help Boost Testosterone”

Decreased Libido

The first and probably most noticeable sign to a decreased level of testosterone is a decreased libido. Your sex drive will wane and you will therefore have a reduced sexual interest. This condition is commonly referred to as hypogonadism and describes low T production.

Low Sperm Count

While you may not know your sperm count unless you have had it tested, this is also a good indicator of low testosterone production. If you and your wife have been battling to fall pregnant, it may be a good idea to get tested because if not treated, it may lead to infertility in the long run.

Less Muscle Growth

Testosterone is a powerful anabolic hormone which is responsible for the male’s ability to attain more muscle mass than females. If you have low T, you may not be able to build as much muscle and therefore may end up with diminished muscle tone. Plus, you may end up gaining more fat weight as testosterone also helps to burn fat.

Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence

If you are consistently battling to get and/or maintain a full erection, you may be suffering from low T. You can treat erectile dysfunction or impotence with self-prescribed medication but these can have unwanted side-effects. So instead, treat the symptoms of low T first.

Moobs

If you have moobs, or man-boobs, it may be because you have low testosterone levels. The enlarged breast tissue in males is referred to as Gynecomastia and commonly occurs when men experience low T levels and higher estrogen levels.

Loss Of Hair

I am sure you know that men have more hair on their faces and bodies than women because of the higher levels of this predominantly male sex hormone testosterone. If you have low T, you may experience hair loss. This is most noticeable on male teenagers who have a lower level of T as they may not grow a full beard and have less body hair.

Decreased Testis Size

A decreased testis size may be an effect of low T. The testes shrink because of their reduced ability to produce testosterone. Teenage males may experience a diminished growth of the testicles and penis if left untreated.

Osteoporosis

Again, this may not be something you will be able to pick up, but lowered T may affect bone mass and result in osteoporosis. This means that you may be more susceptible to fractures and breaks. The main area of target is the hips and spine.

If you find that you are experiencing a few of these symptoms, then you may want to get your testosterone levels checked. If you are suffering from low T, then try to find ways to increase testosterone levels naturally before opting for replacement therapy.